It was the first World Cup victory for Kretz who, like Pennock and Brown is all of 20 years old. For 24-year-old Sweetland, bedeviled by injuries the last five years, really, it was an encouraging return to form in the first year of the four-year Olympic cycle. Check out my race column from Monday’s Journal.

Pennock, who won the PATCO Junior Elite Championship race in Edmonton in 2011, was thrilled to be part of an unprecedented podium sweep for Canada, especially since it came just up the road from her Calgary home.

“It was exciting (being) up thee with the three Canadians. I can’t think of a better day. It was amazing. At some point, someone (a teammate) was always pushing the pace, it was just fantastic, the surges and everything. At some point, I felt like I wanted to start walking, but I made it and it was a fantastic day for Canada.
Maybe we’re starting a new generation for the Canadians.”

A few outtakes from race, which saw Kyle Jones of Oakville, Ont., finish second to Gregory Rouault of France. Jones won the same race in 2011.

Erin Densham of Australia, the bronze medalist from the women’s triathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, struggled in her first race this season. In the end, she finished 10th in 1:04.46. She summed up her day in the following tweets.

Well that was a rude awaking bak 2 racing.it hurts a lot more when ur not in shape.But totally wat I needed. #TimeToKnuckleDown

Andrew Yorke of Caledon East, Ont., north of Toronto, was part of a nasty bike crash during the men’s race and did not finish. The 24-year-old triathlete, who finished 18th at the 2012 WTS Grand Final, was nicked, but not broken by the experience.

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